Clip on Kayak Carry Strap

ABSTRACT

The subject invention generally relates to strap used for transporting kayaks, specifically to an adjustable over the shoulder strap that clips onto the edge of the cockpit rim, and is used for transporting sit-in open cockpit type kayaks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The mechanisms of transportation for sit inside, open-cockpit kayaks to and from the water sources they are paddled on are limited. By far the most common method is to grip the inside of the cockpit with one hand, lifting the kayak on it's side and carrying it at your side, parallel to the direction you are traveling. Balancing the kayak so that the front or back is not hitting the ground requires that you move your hand along the inside of the cockpit until you find the balance point. The kayak then tends to bump against the side of your legs, for most people right above the knee. Since all of the weight of the kayak is directly on the one arm, carrying the kayak over any distance generates muscle fatigue.

Another common method is to heft the kayak up on to your shoulder, and balance it there, with your arm around the outside of the kayak. Again, maintaining a balance point is difficult as the kayak itself must be moved forward and back on the shoulder, and the arm supporting and balancing the kayak generates muscle fatigue.

There are other methods of transporting kayaks that do not involve a strap and therefore do not qualify as prior art, including kayak carts, kayak yolks and kayak shoulder harnesses.

(Cabellas) Seairsports Yaksling Kayak Shoulder Carrier: This carrying device has separate straps which wrap around the kayak, fore and aft of the cockpit. The straps are then attached to an over-the-shoulder strap. The carrier is time-consuming to put on and take off, and the mix of straps tends to get tangled. The straps are narrow and the pad is inadequate, resulting in the strap causing severe shoulder discomfort. Reviews of the product on Cabella's website, at http://www.cabelas.com state the following problems with this strap. (1) The strap instructions for assembling the harness were inadequate, resulting in multiple attempts and knots when trying to use the carrier. (2) Not an easy thing to use—adjustments are difficult and it's not comfortable.

The Kayak Carry Strap found at TopKayaker.net is a strap used to transport light to mid-weight sit-on-top kayaks. These padded shoulder straps thread through the scupper hole of sit-on-top kayaks and clip with brass snaps. This strap is not suitable for single drain hole kayaks and sit-in open cockpit kayaks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clip-on kayak strap of the subject invention is a padded, clip-on, over the shoulder, adjustable strap for transporting open cockpit type kayaks. A clip shaped to fit the edge of the cockpit rim of a kayak is attached to each end of a strap. A shoulder pad is attached to the center of the strap in a manner that allows the strap to move freely along or through the pad. The clips are attached fore and aft of the cockpit of the kayak on the rim of the cockpit closest to the user, as far apart as possible to help distribute the weight. The user then bends at the knees and puts the strap over either the inside or outside shoulder and stands up, lifting the kayak which then rests lightly on the hip or thigh. The strap can be moved through or along the shoulder pad to locate the balance point of the kayak.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is an elongated view of an embodiment of a clip.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a clip.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1A—Clip for looped end     -   1B—Clip for loose end     -   2—Webbing     -   3—Sliding strap adjustor     -   4—Shoulder pad     -   5—Angled slot     -   6—Interior clip pad

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the strap is illustrated in FIG. 1. A length of webbing (2), which is a strong fabric woven as a flat strip of varying width and fibers is passed through the front of the right side loop of a sliding strap adjustor (3) which is a double looped object that allows a length of webbing (2) to be shortened or lengthened. The webbing (2) is then passed back through the back of the left side loop of the sliding strap adjustor (3). The webbing (2) is then passed through an angled slot (5) in the back of a clip (1A) which is detailed in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The webbing (2) is then again passed through the front of the right side loop of the sliding strap adjustor (3), inside of the initial webbing (2) passed through, then back through the back of the left side loop of the sliding strap adjustor (3). The webbing (2) is then connected to the same section of the webbing (2) which was last passed through the sliding adjustor strap (3) by virtue of thread or another connecting material.

A shoulder pad (4), which is a length of padded material that helps reduce the strain of the weight of the kayak on the shoulder of the user is connected to the webbing (2) either by passing the webbing (2) through the center of a tubular shoulder pad (4) or is connected to the webbing (2) by some other device which allows the shoulder pad (4) to be moved along the length of the webbing (2).

The other end of the webbing (2) is passed through an angled slot (5) in the back of a clip (1B) which is detailed in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and connected to the section of webbing (2) passed through the angled slot (5) in the clip (1B) by virtue of thread or another connecting material.

An interior clip pad (6) is attached to the inside of the clips (1A) and (1B) be means of an adhesive. The interior clip pad (6) is constructed of a non-abrasive, non-slip material which helps prevent the clip from sliding along the rim of the cockpit, and helps prevent marring of the surface of the rim of the cockpit.

FIG. 2 shows an elongated view of one embodiment of the clips (1A) and (1B), which are mirrored images of each other. A slot (5) through which the webbing (2) is passed is angled to match the angle generated when the subject strap is passed over the shoulder of the user. This prevents the webbing (2) from sliding into and bunching up in the corner of the angled slot (5). The end of the clips (1A) and (1B) opposite of the angled slot (5) is rounded to prevent the corners of the clips (1A) and (1B) from causing abrasion to the inside of the cockpit of the kayak.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of one embodiment of the clips (1A) and (1B). The shape illustrated will fit most cockpit type kayaks, as the rim of the kayak is fairly universal due to the fact that its main purpose is to attach a spray skirt to the kayak to prevent water from entering the cockpit. The clips (1A) and (1B) have tension provided by the material they are composed of which forces them to return to their original shape when expanded. An additional embodiment of the clips (1A) and (1B) would be to use a spring clip, which is a clip hinged in the middle with a spring attached to the hinge which creates the tension which forces it to return to its original shape when expanded. 

1. A padded, clip-on, over the shoulder, adjustable strap for transporting cockpit type kayaks comprising: a. A length of webbing means a strong fabric woven as a flat strip of varying width and fibers b. A sliding strap adjustor means a double looped object that allows a length of webbing to be shortened or lengthened c. A clip means any of varying devices for gripping or holding things together d. A shoulder pad means a length of padded material that helps reduce the strain of the weight of the kayak on the shoulder said webbing passing through the front of the right side loop of said sliding strap adjustor and said webbing passing back through the rear of the left side of said strap adjustor and said webbing passing through an angled slot in the back of one said clip and said webbing again passing through the front of the right side loop of said sliding strap adjustor in the same direction and inside of the first pass of said webbing through said sliding strap adjustor and said webbing again passing back through the rear of the left side loop of said sliding strap adjustor and said webbing attached to itself below the section of said webbings last passed through said strap adjustor by virtue of thread or another connecting material creating a loop with said clip attached and the opposite end of said webbing passing through or upon said shoulder pad and said webbing passing through an angled slot in the rear of another said clip and said webbing attached to itself by virtue of thread or another connecting material 